Chapter 33 – The Banyan Tree (2)

Upon entering the academy, I could sense the buzzing atmosphere.

– Is that him? From the last raid…

Whispering students. Damaged facilities.
The previous raid had been significant, leaving the facilities still unrepaired.

Come to think of it, an instructor had died, hadn’t they? With Lee Seong-Han’s skill, the one that stabbed my shoulder, it didn’t seem impossible.

As I walked toward my class, Azalea informed me of something.

“Did you hear? Classes will be replaced with experiential lessons for a week.”
“Experiential lessons?”
“Yes. It’s a campaign where outside instructors from the Hunter Association or Foundation become mentors.”

I had heard such a story from Lee Se-Young. The plan was to assign mentors based on the students’ tendencies and conduct 1:1 or 1:2 classes.

I thought it wasn’t a bad approach, especially now when the damage from the last incident had not yet been sorted out.

‘Still, it will be restored soon.’

Construction equipment was bustling around. The funds were coming from Jinmok Group’s assets. It made sense.

Wait, then what about Jinmok Group?

“Suddenly thought of it, is your company okay?”
“Oh, that? For now, my aunt is taking care of it. I decided to take over after I graduate.”

It was a typical arrangement.

“But isn’t that a secret? Can you tell me?”

At my question, Azalea tilted her head and smiled.

“Because we’re friends.”

Friends. She had been emphasizing that we were friends since the morning. Her code of conduct approached me as if it were a friend. I didn’t dislike it, but it could be intimidating sometimes.

– Drip.

When I arrived at the classroom and opened the door, all eyes were on me.

Cadets staring through my mask.

Some appeared eager to strike up a conversation, while others cast curious glances my way. I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at their altered demeanor.

Naturally, such interest didn’t always have a positive impact.

*Tsk.*

The sound of a tongue clicking, laden with unmistakable envy and contempt. There are always those who begrudge the success of others, no matter where you go.

It’s especially true if the successful individual was previously deemed unworthy or inferior to expectations. In such cases, people typically attempt to crush or trample the individual before they can fully flourish.

Even if they lack the ability to trample…

“Look at that guy, straining his shoulders. It’s like he’s about to burst.”
“Heh heh heh.”

From behind, it’s still possible to subtly torment someone with a voice intended to be overheard.

Azalea, who had been walking alongside me, suddenly whipped her head around. It was the same enraged expression I had witnessed during our previous chocolate ordeal.

“What did you just say?”
“…Pardon?”

“Ppo-rok? Are you kidding me?”

As if they hadn’t expected Azalea to take a stand like this, both Namsaeng and I, along with a few other students present, were dumbfounded.

Why was she acting like this all of a sudden?

“Apologize to my friend.”

I was grateful, and it was refreshing, but was she always this kind of person?

“Azalea, what’s going on?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”

When Si-woo, who had rushed over due to the commotion, asked, Azalea gave the offending student a cold stare. The student, upon seeing Si-woo, one of the top performers in our class, looked at me with a reluctant expression.

“I’m sorry.”

He muttered curtly. Of course, I had no intention of letting him off the hook.

-You know what happens if you do that again, right?

I whispered with that kind of nuance and sat down. Upon hearing my words, Namsaeng’s face crumpled.

Once the commotion had ended, Azalea returned to her seat with Si-woo. The seat next to me was occupied by Gu-seul, who was like a loyal puppy.

“Si-ha.”
“Seul-ha.”

“Phehehe. You’re taking it well now.”

While waiting and engaging in casual conversation, Lee Se-Young entered the room. Upon seeing me, Se-Young winked and caressed the choker around her neck.

Perhaps it was to conceal the kiss marks.

“Now, pay attention.”

Standing at the lectern, Se-Young, as always, enlivened the students with a few light-hearted jokes. She then announced a few schedules for the hands-on lessons.

“I believe you all are probably most familiar with the mentor classes. Think of them as more like a week-long experiential learning excursion rather than a proper class. The mentors for each student were announced this morning.”

She called out the groups one by one, ranging from as few as one person to as many as three. I belonged to Group H, and the mentor’s name could be confirmed during today’s class. I listened attentively, wondering if there were any other mentees joining me.

“Cornus. Group H.”

That name emerged.

Turning my head to look at her, I saw Sansuyu with her distinctive expressionless face, our eyes meeting.

“…?”

I made a V-shape with my fingers. Suyu blinked her eyes and tilted her head. Soon after, she mimicked my action, forming a V with her hands and extending them forward.

It’s a double peace sign. How cute.

If I were to spend time with Sansuyu, who conceals her unexpected cuteness, perhaps the mentor class could be quite enjoyable.

What kind of Sansuyu will I have the chance to see today?

I spent my time pondering this thought.

* * * * *

The first encounter with our mentor was fast approaching. Many cadets were meeting with their mentors and engaging in lively conversations. However, there was no sign of a person, let alone a mentor, on the signboard marked with Group H.

What’s going on?

I glanced around and spotted the instructor, who had been surreptitiously observing us. With a half-astonished expression, the instructor spoke.

“Group H?”
“Yes.”
“You all… will have to board a plane.”

“Yes?”

To meet a mentor, I have to take a flight? I was taken aback by the unexpected scale.

“The plane ticket is covered, and it seems to be heading towards the Hunter Association. Have a good trip. The flight is in three hours.”

“If you’re only telling me this now…”

“We had no choice; it was suddenly handed to us. We apologize. They said they’ll handle food, clothing, and shelter, so don’t worry. You just need to be there.”

The man said this and grinned.

“Still, there shouldn’t be any issues improving your skills.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

I sneakily glanced at the name on the instructor’s chest. Mansejeok. It was a name I had heard somewhere before.

Mansejeok smiled contentedly and waved his hand. Somehow, I didn’t dislike him, so I waved back.

Sansuyu stared at me like that, then shifted her feet towards the main gate and asked me.

“Sieon.”

“It’s Siheon.”

“…Siheon. I think it would be faster to go by car. Should I call the secretary?”

I said, waving at a passing taxi.

“There’s no need. Let’s take a taxi. This too is part of the cultural experience.”
“Cultural experience? Alright.”

So, we took a taxi and headed to the airport in the center of the education city. As I was chatting with Sansuyu about our daily lives, like what we did yesterday, my cell phone vibrated.

-Azalea: I’m heading towards the spiritual mountain with my mentor. How about you?
-Me: On the way to the airport by taxi.
-Azalea: Siheon too?
-Azalea: (Emoticon with shimmering pink petals)

When I replied appropriately, another message came.

-Lee Se-young: How about this?
-Lee Se-young: (Picture wearing slightly torn stockings.)

Startled, I angled my phone so Sansuyu couldn’t see it and sent a reply.

-Me: Hey, you crazy woman, get back to work.
-Me: But you do have a pretty body.

-Lee Se-young: [Laughter] [Laughter]
-Lee Se-young: Would you like some side dishes while I’m away?

Upon noticing the change in my expression, Sansuyu gazed at me with lifeless eyes. I spoke first, as if to offer an explanation.

“The homeroom teacher called to ask if everything went well.”
“Really?”

Sansuyu, who today also responded briefly, leaned her head against the glass and stared out the window. In the meantime, I quickly sent a message to Lee Se-young.

-Me: (Nodding emoticon)
-Lee Se-young: (Nodding emoticon)

The beautiful oak tree. I haven’t finished processing the acorns I received last time, but Lee Se-young is the best.

Alternating between messages and small talk, we soon arrived at the airport.

There were roughly 50 minutes left until our flight. After speaking with Sansuyu, I wandered around. The sight of grass sprouting everywhere was a stark difference from the old world, and it always seemed new and intriguing.

I stretched under the warm weekday sun. Suddenly, I heard the sound of bones cracking from my back.

I need to get some sleep on the plane.

“Hey, do you have a lighter?”

Suddenly, a woman approached me. Without looking at her face, I fetched a lighter from my waist and handed it to her. She took out a cigarette, and our eyes met as she lit it; she was a woman with white hair.

[Group H Mentor White Peach]

A name tag was affixed to her chest. I realized I would have a similar name tag on my chest as well.

[Group H Mentee Lee Si-heon]

“Uh”
“Uh”

We looked at each other’s name tags and our expressions hardened. The woman called White Peach coughed, accepted the lighter, and lit her cigarette.

“Hmm. Do you smoke?”
“Yes, I do smoke, but not very often.”
“Smoke one.”

White Peach silently handed me a cigarette. I took it, put it in my mouth, and drew a long breath. A subtle peach scent lingered in the air.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. I just left the association. They told me to teach you.”

“We once spoke of this. I promised to provide the finest master. Are you that master?”

Upon hearing my question, Baekdo shook her head.

“Not yet. I don’t accept just anyone as a disciple.”
“But you said you would teach?”
“I can teach even if someone isn’t my disciple. I have searched the entire world for my direct disciple, and so far, I have found only one.”

I understood.
But I never expected our first encounter to be face-to-face like this.

As I lived, I realized such things could happen, and I exhaled a thick puff of smoke. Then, she spoke.

“There are no bad people among smokers; I’ll give you one point.”
“One point?”
“If you accumulate 10 points, I’ll accept you as my direct disciple.”

I was genuinely grateful for that.

We smoked our cigarettes for a while, gazing into the distance. The burnt paper turned to ashes and scattered.

I stole a glance at Baekdo.

Her skin was as white as snow, and her hair so white, it appeared almost translucent. Her blue eyes accentuated the air of mystery surrounding her.

The attire she wore was far from ordinary, as it consisted of black latex and several auxiliary pieces of equipment. Due to this, every contour of her body was exposed, including her voluptuous, protruding breasts.

“Do you enjoy eroticism?”

At that remark, I shuddered.

“It’s not a bad thing.”
“I apologize.”
“Why apologize? It’s only natural to be intrigued by the female form.”

In that moment, White Peach lit up five cigarettes in a row.

The ash continued to accumulate, and the silence between us stretched on. The flowers at the airport, which had begun to bloom, swayed gently in the silk-like breeze.

Eventually, she spoke in a heavy voice.

“I have a question.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes. This question is crucial. It may determine whether you can become my disciple or not. Are you prepared to answer?”

White Peach scrutinized me with a piercing gaze. I swallowed hard under the weight of her serious stare.

This person is truly genuine. Although it was a rather abrupt situation, if she felt that way, then I too needed to make up my mind properly.

-Whooosh~

The wind blew, and anticipation hung in the air for the question.

Before long, a single statement fell from Baekdo’s lips.

“…Do you prefer firm peaches? Or soft peaches?”
“Huh?”
“Answer without hesitation. One, two, three…”
“Uhm, soft peaches?”

Hearing my dumbfounded response, Baekdo’s face scrunched up. Her expression seemed as if it could blend in among the ghouls of the Hundred Ghost Night March.

“Wrong. Minus five points.”
“…What?”

It was shocking news. Baekdo spoke to me in a low voice, as if issuing a warning.

“Peaches are firm peaches.”